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About the MRC
We work to protect and restore marine life, habitat
and water  quality
along our county's 212 miles of shoreline. We do
so through scientific research, education and voluntary
action. We identify problems and opportunities,
and recommend remedial actions to local authorities.
In addition we build community awareness of the
issues and support for the remedies.
MRC member
Ken Urstad conducts
juvenile salmon research
at Harrington Lagoon
Our 13 members represent a cross-section of community
interests including recreational and commercial
fishing, agriculture, boating, aquaculture, science,
the environment, local government, higher education
and our county's substantial Navy presence.
MRC members survey the beach at
Useless Bay for toxic creosote debris
We are one of seven MRCs in the counties of northern
Puget Sound authorized in 1998 by the Northwest
Straits Marine Conservation Initiative. This initiative
resulted from the 1998 Murray-Metcalf
Northwest Straits Citizens Advisory Commission Report.
Congress authorized the MRCs to provide local, broad-based,
bottom-up input to the Northwest Straits Commission
(NWSC). The NWSC works to improve the overall health
of the Northwest Straits ecosystem by developing
and proposing scientifically-sound recommendations
to decision-makers and by providing scientific,
technical and financial help to the MRCs.
The MRC is strictly advisory - we neither make nor
enforce laws. Our role is to serve in a science-based
advisory, educational and fund-raising capacity,
and to encourage stewardship of the marine resource.
Neighbors learn about salmon
research at Harrington Lagoon
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From
Our Strategic Plan...
Purpose
To contribute to the protection of the local and
Northwest Straits marine environments through education,
research and voluntary action. In so doing the MRC
recommends remedial actions to local authorities
and builds community awareness of the issues and
support for the remedies.
Problem and Opportunity
Marine species, habitat and water quality have declined
in recent decades because of human influences. We
can help our community change behaviors to restore
the natural abundance and diversity that make Island
County an attractive and healthy place to live,
work and visit.
Mission
Our mission is to help protect the marine environment
of Island County and the Northwest Straits by measurably
raising community awareness of marine issues and
generating support for the remedies by 2020.
Vision
By 2020 we envision widespread community implementation
of best practices and other actions to protect and
promote healthy marine waters, and sustainable marine
life and habitat, contributing in turn to a strong
Island County economy.
Members
>> membership
terms >> member
bio's
Staff:
Rex
Porter - Executive Director
Dan
Pedersen - Communications Manager
Board:
Don
Meehan - County lead
Dick
Toft - MRC Chair
Ian
Jefferds - MRC Vice Chair
 Phyllis
Kind, PhD - NWSC Representative
Hi
Bronson
Tom
Campbell
Joe
Hillers
Johnny
Palka, PhD
Lynae Slinden
Jeff
Tate
Ken
Urstad
Benye
Weber
Bryan
Nichols
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